George Trupka

George Trupka, 83, Wahpeton, ND passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. He was under the care of family and Hospice of the Red River Valley through Friday, November 8, 2013. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, November 12 at 1:30 PM in the Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton with Rev. Morris Stephens, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to Tuesday's service. A military Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Wahpeton followed with a light lunch.

George was born on April 27, 1930 to Edward and Pauline (Pecka) Trupka in their home behind Central Elementary School. This was his home until he graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1948. He continued his education at North Dakota State College of Science and many locations throughout the United States. In 1951, he enlisted in the US Air Force, during the Korean Conflict, where he received his education in Instrumentation; he served in the Strategic Air Command on the B-47. George was then stationed in England where he met the love of his life Marie Perez they were married on August 24, 1954 in London, he never left her side. They moved to Riverside CA where he was honorably discharged in February of 1955.

George helped create instrumentation for the first flight to the moon at Bourn's Labs in California after the military. He wanted to raise his family in the Midwest; he owned and operated George's Meats in Elbow Lake, MN and was self-employed in West Fargo, ND where he designed and built spec homes, until he moved to Wahpeton, ND and began work with Minn Dak Farmers Coop when they opened in 1975. He was an Instrument Technician until 1990 when his health started to decline. Marie passed away on January 15, 1999. George lived in his home until his final day.

George was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton and the American Legion. When he was healthy he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a craftsman who enjoyed woodworking, painting, and breeding tropical fish. Once he was housebound he enjoyed caring for the birds and squirrels who visited him and he had a special place in his heart for, Wicket, his Maltese. George took time for everyone, he loved being with his family and he was best known for putting everyone before himself.

George is survived by his sons, Rick (Connie) Trupka, Elk River, MN, Jerry (Karie) Trupka, Breckenridge, MN; his daughter, Bonnie Trupka, Breckenridge; his grandchildren: Stephanie, Ricky, Brandon, Cynthia, Emily, Heather, Alex "AJ", and Ashley; his four great-grandchildren; his brother, Edward (Gloria) Trupka, Fergus Falls, MN ; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Pauline Trupka, his wife, Marie, his sons, Dale and Roy Trupka, his sister-in-law, Lois Trupka, and an infant brother, Hoover.